I went to Coney Island this past Sunday with my husband. I was going to go on Saturday with a couple of friends, but it ended up falling through. Which is just as well because going to the Siren Fest would have been a drag. A hot, crowded drag. None of the bands piqued my interest anyway. Since there will be supposed redevelopment of the charming seaside destination as of next year or so, I tried to see what old pictures I could find of vintage Coney Island (which is actually not too different today, other than the level of old-timey opulence being much lower now). Coney Island has that gritty aspect to it that I embrace wholeheartedly. I love the carnival atmosphere, and the beach is actually pretty clean and relaxing, if you know where to look. (I'm not telling you my secret spot! 
) I have yet to go to the New York Aquarium, but I should do it soon; they have a great jellyfish exhibit on now. Did you know this, for example (skip if you're not in the mood to learn something science-y):
A siphonophore resembles a jelly, but it is not actually an individual organism.
Siphonophores, such as the Portuguese man-o-war, are really colonies of specialized individuals. One individual in the group transforms itself into a gas-filled float. The others form stinging tentacles that kill prey.
The man-o-war's tentacles hang well below the float and can be up to 30 feet (9m) long. Stinging cells at the tips are used to kill prey, such as crustaceans, fish, algae, and other plankton. The prey is then lifted into the colony's float, where other members do the work of digestion. Nutrients are shared through a connected gut system, and a network of nerves helps the individuals communicate. The man-o-war's sting is very painful to humans, and wounds may not heal for weeks.
Cooooooooool! Science!
And I leave you with a view into yesteryear....
) I have yet to go to the New York Aquarium, but I should do it soon; they have a great jellyfish exhibit on now. Did you know this, for example (skip if you're not in the mood to learn something science-y):
A siphonophore resembles a jelly, but it is not actually an individual organism.
Siphonophores, such as the Portuguese man-o-war, are really colonies of specialized individuals. One individual in the group transforms itself into a gas-filled float. The others form stinging tentacles that kill prey.
The man-o-war's tentacles hang well below the float and can be up to 30 feet (9m) long. Stinging cells at the tips are used to kill prey, such as crustaceans, fish, algae, and other plankton. The prey is then lifted into the colony's float, where other members do the work of digestion. Nutrients are shared through a connected gut system, and a network of nerves helps the individuals communicate. The man-o-war's sting is very painful to humans, and wounds may not heal for weeks.
Cooooooooool! Science!
And I leave you with a view into yesteryear....
VIEW 12 of 12 COMMENTS
yeah, i know, Nature rocks my socks off.
and spanking, well, i can keep a straight face when i dole them out, but i crack up when i get them. it just seems so awkward, at least for my partner to do. no naughty questions, just some very obvious "okay, i'm going to try and do this right now... gotta make sure i don't hurt her...." he he. he's sweet, just a little shy about rough play.
And that would be pronounced
sigh - FAHN - uh - forz I assume.